Novel containers and uses thereof

ABSTRACT

Provided herein novel assembly comprising a vessel component and a support component that can become reversible attached or detached from each other.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of containers and dishes such as wineglasses and bowls with replaceable and/or detachable stem.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Basic structure of dishes, such as wineglasses and bowls having holding stem/neck attached to the media holding container, poses many challenges to the end users. Dishes made of glass or glass-like materials are fragile, require large storage space, are not portable and not suitable for use in dishwasher. Due to their tendency to break, the consumer has to frequently buy new items. This problem intensifies for dishes made of high cost material, such as crystal glass or lead crystal or for custom-made and rare items.

Creative solutions addressing all the above issues and providing a worthy alternative without compromising the quality and user experience, remain a long and unmet need,

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to overcome the existing challenges in providing dishes with replaceable, detachable and interchangeable stem.

The invention provides an assembly comprising:

a) a vessel component comprising a side wall, a top rim and a bottom; and

b) a support component comprising a base and a stem, wherein said stem extends vertically from the base;

wherein the bottom of said vessel component comprises a threaded element; and wherein the stem of the support component comprises a threaded hole; and wherein the vessel component is designed to become reversibly engaged with the support component by screwing the threaded element of the vessel component into the threaded hole of the support component.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 : Illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an assembly of the invention comprising vessel component and support component;

FIG. 2 : Illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an assembly of the invention comprising vessel component, support component and a securing element; and

FIG. 3A,B: Illustrates an exemplary embodiment of: A. an assembly of the invention comprising vessel component, support component, and a release element; B. an assembly of the invention comprising vessel component, support component, a securing element, and a release element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is applicable to other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Reference is now made to FIG. 1 , illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the assembly of the invention. The assembly 10 comprises:

a) a vessel component 20 comprising a side wall 30, a top rim 40 and a bottom 50; and

b) a support component 60, comprising a base 70 and a stem 80, wherein said stem extends vertically from the base;

wherein the bottom 50 of said vessel component comprises a threaded element 90; and wherein the stem 80 of the support component comprises a threaded hole 100; and wherein the vessel component 20 is designed to become reversibly engaged with the support component 60 by screwing the threaded element 90 of the vessel component into the threaded hole 100 of the support component. In one embodiment, the threaded element 90 of the vessel component is attached to the bottom 50 of the vessel component. In another embodiment, the threaded element 90 of the vessel component and the bottom 50 of the vessel component form a single member. In the context of the invention, the term “single member” is meant to be understood, without limitation, as a situation when two or more elements are continuous to each other, cannot be intentionally separated or detached from each other and, together, form a single piece made of the same material. In one embodiment, the bottom of the inner part of the vessel component comprises a socket 200 designed to fit a standard screw or alike, which may be particularly useful when the bottom 50 of the vessel component 20 becomes accidentally detached (by breakage) from the treaded element 90 or a portion thereof, which, in turn, remains engaged with the treaded hole 100.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2 , illustrating an exemplary embodiment of an assembly of the invention, wherein the support component 60 further comprises a securing element 110, wherein said securing element is operatively engaged with the threaded hole 100 of the support component 60. In one embodiment, the securing element comprises a spring-like mechanism 120. In the context of the invention, the term “spring-like mechanism” is meant to be understood, without limitation, as a mechanism having the ability to change its shape as a result of applied pressure or other applicable force and to return to its original shape when released, and is used primarily to exert constant tension or absorb movement. In one embodiment, the securing element 110 is positioned inside the threaded hole 100 of the support component 60. In one embodiment, the spring like mechanism 120 of the securing element 110 is designed to fit the bottom part 150 of the threaded hole 100. In one embodiment, the upper part 130 of the securing element 110 becomes operatively engaged with the socket 170 situated at the bottom part of the threaded element 90 of the vessel component 20. In one embodiment, the threaded element 90 is screwed into the threaded hole 100, the threaded element 90 is designed to physically interact with the release element 110. In one embodiment, the threaded element 90 is designed to exert pressure on the securing element 110 when screwed into the threaded hole 100. Exerting pressure on the securing element 110 leads to the shrinkage of the spring-like mechanism 120. Unscrewing the threaded element 90 from the threaded hole 100, causes the spring-like mechanism 120 to return to its original shape. According to some embodiments, presence of the securing element is useful for safely locking/securing the vessel component on the support component.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 3A&B, illustrating an exemplary embodiment of an assembly of the invention 10, wherein the vessel component 20 further comprises a release element 140, wherein said release element surrounds the threaded element 90 and is designed to become operatively engaged with the threaded hole 100 of the support element 60. FIG. 3A illustrates an exemplary embodiment, wherein the release element 140 can be screwed in and/or out of the threaded hole 100 of the support component 60. In one embodiment, when the threaded element 90 or a portion thereof becomes accidentally detached (by breakage) from the bottom 50 of the vessel component 20 and remains engaged with the threaded hole 100, the release element 140 is configured to extricate the threaded element 90 or a portion thereof from the threaded hole 100. FIG. 3B illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an assembly of the invention 10 comprising a securing element 110 and a release element 140. In one embodiment, the securing element comprises a spring-like mechanism 120. In one embodiment, the securing element 110 is positioned inside the threaded hole 100 of the support component 60. In one embodiment, the spring like mechanism 120 of the securing element 110 is designed to fit the bottom part 150 of the threaded hole 100.

In one embodiment, the release element 140 surrounding the threaded element 90 is screwed into the threaded hole 100, and the threaded element 90 is designed to physically interact with the upper part of securing element 110. In one embodiment, the threaded element 90 is designed to exert pressure on the securing element 110 when screwed into the threaded hole 100. Exerting pressure on the securing element 110 leads to the shrinkage of the spring-like mechanism 120. Unscrewing the threaded element 90 from the threaded hole 100, causes the spring-like mechanism 120 to return to its original shape.

According to some embodiments, the support component further comprises a removable release element, wherein said release element is a part of the stem of the support component (not shown). In one embodiment, when the threaded element or a portion thereof, becomes accidentally detached from the bottom of the vessel component, the release element is removed to thereby extricate the threaded element or a portion thereof from the threaded hole.

According to some embodiments, the vessel component is selected, without limitation from a drinking glass, a wineglass, a flute, a goblet, a bowl, cup, or any other container that may fit the parameters of the assembly of the invention. The vessel component of the invention may be used, without limitation, for food, drinks, decorations, or any other application which may benefit from the assembly of the invention. According to some embodiments, the vessel component is made of a glass, a crystal glass, a lead crystal, or a lead-free crystal.

According to some embodiments, the base and the stem of the support component form a single member. According to some embodiments, the base can be detached from the stem of the support component.

According to some embodiments, the support component is made of metal or an alloy. In the context of the invention, the term “alloy” refers, without limitation, to is a combination of metals or metals combined with one or more other elements. In one embodiment, the metal is selected from the group consisting of gold, silver, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, and tin.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements components and/or groups or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups or combinations thereof. As used herein the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes”, “including”, “having” and their conjugates mean “including but not limited to”. The term “consisting of” means “including and limited to”.

As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all possible combinations or one or more of the associated listed items, as well as the lack of combinations when interpreted in the alternative (“or”).

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the specification and claims and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. Well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on”, “onto”, “attached” to, “operatively coupled” to, “operatively linked” to, “operatively engaged” with, “connected” to, “coupled” with, “contacting,” etc., another element, it can be directly on, attached to, connected to, operatively coupled to, operatively engaged with, coupled with and/or contacting the other element or intervening elements can also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly contacting” another element, there are no intervening elements present.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. Rather, these terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer and/or section, from another element, component, region, layer and/or section.

Certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the invention. Certain features described in the context of various embodiments are not to be considered essential features of those embodiments, unless the embodiment is inoperative without those elements.

Throughout this application, various embodiments of this invention may be presented in a range format. It should be understood that the description in range format is merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of the invention.

Accordingly, the description of a range should be considered to have specifically disclosed all the possible subranges as well as individual numerical values within that range. For example, description of a range such as from 1 to 6 should be considered to have specifically disclosed subranges such as from 1 to 3, from 1 to 4, from 1 to 5, from 2 to 4, from 2 to 6, from 3 to 6 etc., as well as individual numbers within that range, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. This applies regardless of the breadth of the range.

Whenever a numerical range is indicated herein, it is meant to include any cited numeral (fractional or integral) within the indicated range. The phrases “ranging/ranges between” a first indicate number and a second indicate number and “ranging/ranges from” a first indicate number “to” a second indicate number are used herein interchangeably and are meant to include the first and second indicated numbers and all the fractional and integral numerals therebetween. Whenever the term “about,” is used, it is meant to refer to a measurable value such as an amount, a temporal duration, and the like, and is meant to encompass variations of ±20%, ±10%, ±5%, ±1%, or ±0.1% from the specified value, as such variations are appropriate to perform the disclosed methods.

All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned in the disclosures of these publications in their entireties are hereby incorporated by reference into this application in order to more fully describe the state of the art to which this invention pertains.

In case of conflict, the patent specification, including definitions, will prevail. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting. Throughout this application various publications, published patent applications and published patents are referenced.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and includes both combinations and sub-combinations of the various features described hereinabove as well as variations and modifications thereof, which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description. 

1. An assembly comprising: a) a vessel component comprising a side wall, a top rim and a bottom; and b) a support component comprising a base and a stem, wherein said stem extends vertically from the base; wherein the bottom of said vessel component comprises a threaded element; and wherein the stem of the support component comprises a threaded hole; and wherein the vessel component is designed to become reversibly engaged with the support component by screwing the threaded element of the vessel component into the threaded hole of the support component.
 2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the threaded element of the vessel component is attached to the bottom of the vessel component.
 3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the threaded element of the vessel component and the bottom of the vessel component form a single member.
 4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the vessel component and the threaded element are made of the same material.
 5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the support component further comprises a securing element, wherein said securing element is operatively engaged with the threaded hole of the support component.
 6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the securing element comprises a spring-like mechanism.
 7. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the securing element is positioned inside the threaded hole of the support component.
 8. The assembly of claim 5, wherein when the threaded element is screwed into the threaded hole, the threaded element is designed to physically interact with the securing element.
 9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the vessel component further comprises a release element, wherein said release element surrounds the threaded element and is designed to become operatively engaged with the threaded hole of the support element.
 10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein when the threaded element or a portion thereof, becomes accidentally detached from the bottom of the vessel component, the release element is configured to extricate the threaded element or a portion thereof from the threaded hole.
 11. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the support component further comprises a removable release element, wherein said release element is a part of the stem of the support component.
 12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein when the threaded element or a portion thereof, becomes accidentally detached from the bottom of the vessel component, the release element is removed to thereby extricate the threaded element or a portion thereof from the threaded hole.
 13. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the vessel component is selected from the group consisting of a drinking glass, a wineglass, a flute, a goblet, a bowl, and a cup.
 14. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the vessel component is made of a glass, a crystal glass, a lead crystal, or a lead-free crystal.
 15. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the base and the stem of the support component form a single member.
 16. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the base can be detached from the stem of the support component.
 17. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the support component is made of metal or an alloy.
 18. The assembly of claim 17, wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of gold, silver, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, and tin. 